I really do have one of the best jobs in the world. How blessed am I to spend my days forging collaborations with incredible arts organisations across Australia. Before COVID-19 truly took hold, I was in Adelaide for our partnership of the Adelaide Festival. Tens of thousands of people swarmed like bees to a honey pot to soak up the Festival, the Fringe and Womadelaide and, if you work in the arts, you’ll know it’s a perpetual whirlwind of hugs and air kissing. Every night I attended an event packed wall to wall with fevered, festival goers, soaking up the very best that the arts had to offer.

Image credit: Andrew Beveridge, Lyon Opera Ballet, Adelaide Festival.

I was quite frankly so immersed in cultural heaven, that I had forgotten I was somewhat living in a delightful, unsanitised bubble. On my return flight home to Sydney, the man next to me coughed without covering his mouth. The rest of the passengers looked on in utter panic, and in that moment, I knew the world had changed.

Over the past 2 weeks I have personally spoken with all of our cultural partners via video, lending a kindly ear to listen and a shoulder to support. Maybe these virtual meetings happen to include a G&T or pyjamas cunningly disguised as daytime clothes, but, well, let’s not rush to confessional just yet. This period of grief isn’t about agreements and benefits delivered or not delivered. These are not just professional relationships; these are friendships that have had their worlds turned upside down and inside out twice over.

I am beyond heartbroken to see our cultural partners close their physical doors, for all those staff being stood down, or being made redundant, I weep every single day.

We all love art because it speaks directly to our souls, stimulating our society with valuable ideas and experiences. In times like these, the power of the arts to bring people together, brighten our days and lift our spirits is stronger than ever and whilst the coming months will be undeniably difficult and challenging for us all, we must continue to nurture our souls with art in all of its glorious forms.

Image credit: Andrew Beveridge, Claire Bowditch, Adelaide Festival.

I find that music more than ever is lifting my soul despite what’s going on outside these four walls. Well, it’s actually six walls but who’s counting (um, me). Currently, I bounce between classical and the best of the 80s.

At first, I permitted myself one news update per day, but that just made me cry, so now instead I’ve gone cold turkey. As many of the Archie team already know, I also love crime. I can’t get enough of it. ‘Criminal Minds’, ‘Law and Order’, ‘NCIS’. But when I logged onto Netflix, and started watching ‘Mindhunter’, I said to myself, seriously, the world’s’ gone to hell in a handbasket and you’re watching a program on serial killers. This is also the moment my iPad fell into the bath and I knew it was a sign!

So here I am, reading more. I finally turned the first page on Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. Bernie (partnerships manager at Sydney Writers’ Festival) and Tori (head of marketing at Archie Rose) would be so proud of me. I’ve also got a side hustle going on with the Dalai Lama and the Art of Happiness.

To quote George Saunders at the 2017 Sydney Writers’ Festival, “even in dark times, human beings can come together through those holy acts of reading and writing”.

That quote has stuck with me. It gives me hope that we will all continue to adapt and innovate in the face of this crisis. Whilst many doors close across Australia, we will use this as an opportunity to open a virtual door, showcasing the best of our cultural partners. I challenge you, actively seek out art in your home, let it enrich and transform your life. It is more important than ever to take comfort in the arts.

Look through your old photos, sing out loud to your favourite musical, stream a theatre production, take a virtual tour of an exhibition, listen to a podcast of your favourite author, root through your wardrobe and play dress up, dance wildly around the lounge. Stand shoulder to shoulder with the arts community who so desperately need our support more than ever.

“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” – Auguste Rodin

Image credit: Brett Boardman, Hamlet, Bell Shakespeare .

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be celebrating our amazing cultural partners and sharing their stories starting with these ideas below, the perfect remedy to isolation (just add a little Archie Rose and you’re good to go). As one of my partners said to me, I’ve no doubt that we’re all going to get to the other side of this stronger and more connected”. I’ll leave you now with these final words from the Bard.

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

Look out for your families, friends, team-mates and neighbours. No one is immune to sadness, loneliness and struggles. Learn to hug from a distance. Pick up the phone. Let people know you care.

Stay home. Stay safe.

Love Helen

Online content from our cultural partners and collaborators

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image)

ACMI are bringing their expertly curated musings, recommendations, virtual cinémathèque, industry events and ideas for the kids on school holidays. Enjoy the myriad of content from ACMI at Home this month.

ADELAIDE FESTIVAL

If you missed out on a specific talk or session at the 2020 Adelaide Festival, or you simply want to listen to it again, the team at Adelaide Festival have you covered with their Writers’ Week Podcasts.

ART GALLERY OF NSW

The Together In Art series is a heartfelt and uplifting project that highlights the importance of artists and the role they play to help society adjust to this new world, and will play, as the community rebuilds after COVID-19. Together in Art Kids is an online project that is encouraging artmaking for the little ones. A curated selection of artworks from this project will be exhibited on their website from 18 May 2020.

Lessons on resilience from a bamboo bridge, Katherine Gibson and Juan Francisco Salazar
What can a bamboo bridge teach us about ingenuity and resilience, respect for renewable materials and ethical living.(Themes of resilience, connection, overcoming uncertainty).

Environmental justice and the power of the Pacific word, Craig Santoz Perez
The Pacific region is at the front line of Climate Change. Can literature play a significant role in raising awareness and inspiring activism? Perez, a Chamoru scholar, poet, educator and environmentalist performs his award-winning `Pacific Eco-Poetry’ and shares his involvement with a range of humanities projects aimed at raising environmental literacy.(Themes of poetry, creativity, environmental justice).

Taupata, taro, roots, earth: the (Indigenous) politics of gardening’, Alice Te Punga Somerville
Drawing on scholarship and activism connected to cultivation by Indigenous peoples, this talk - examines texts by Indigenous writers alongside historical and contemporary media texts about gardens and gardening to explore the diverse ways in which relationships (human and non-human) are mediated and nurtured through acts of gardening.(Themes on gardening, mindfulness, nature, Indigenous culture and knowledge).

Lunchtime Conversation Series: Australians Shaping the Nation
Dr Terry Percival AM (the invention of WIFI), chaired by Kim McKay AO
Dr Terry Percival AM, a key member of the visionary CSIRO WLAN team who invented high speed Wi-Fi in 1992, trained as an electrical engineer and began his career in radio-astronomy.

BELL SHAKESPEARE

Bell Shakespeare is calling all filmmakers in Australia. They have announced a film festival where students are in the director’s seat. Find out more here.

BELVOIR ST THEATRE

Belvoir St Theatre regularly produces a podcast for their Upstairs shows featuring interviews with members of the cast and creative team. It is an excellent way to get up to speed with what a show’s about, who’s making it, and other bits of exclusive trivia.

LA BOITE THEATRE COMPANY

CITY RECITAL HALL

Soothe your soul a selection of rich and diverse online programs from the City Recital Hall. Listen to the Sydney Flash Mob Choir or tune in to Stairwell Songs where artists pop in to perform a capella or stripped back songs. If immersive video installation is more you, The Exhibition Project is where it is at. Now in its third year, the project is aimed at supporting emerging visual artists. The first exhibition includes artists Cathryn McEwen, Donna Louise Fletcher, Joi Murugavell and Serkan Ogdum.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA

For those looking for relief from the everyday, the National Gallery of Australia is doing all they can to ensure that art still has a place in your new normal. They’re continuing to share their collection and exhibitions through Artonline and connect via their social channels.

PERTH FESTIVAL

Perth Festival has put together their top online content in the world of film! Discover the classics, watch those new releases that you missed at the cinema or fill your days with fun and insightful podcasts to support the film industry.

QLD GALLERY OF MODERN ART

The team at QAGOMA are working behind the scenes to keep you connected and inspired through their social channels, online blog, curated playlists, art-inspired music and the chance to build your own collection. They also have a range of games and exciting activities to keep the kids occupied over the school holidays!

SCREENWORKS

Fearless Films is a collection of inspirational short stories showcasing the surprisingly bold lives of nine Northern Rivers seniors over the age of 75. The innovative initiative between Feros Care and Screenworks aims to challenge stereotypes around aging by telling the stories of a few Australians that are living their later years in life to the fullest. Find out more here.

Screenworks has also announced a new online workshop in partnership with Australian International Screen Forum (AISF), that will connect screenwriters in Australia with New York-based industry mentors. To read more, click here.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Sydney Opera House is bringing their stage to your sofas with a new digital program coming to you weekly from their House to yours. Tune in to their range of podcasts, videos, articles and digital content for the kids.

SYDNEY WRITERS’ FESTIVAL

The team at Sydney Writers’ Festival are providing a range of digital content to keep those avid readers occupied during this period. Starting with the books they’re bunkering down with – from their favourites of this year’s program to the stories they can’t wait to read. They’ve also compiled a list of classic podcasts from the Sydney Writers’ Festival archive for you to tune into.

ANDREW LLYOD WEBBER

ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE

To help uplift and connect during this time, Arts Centre of Melbourne are sharing full-length performances, artist interviews, family activities, podcasts, curated playlists and much more. Find out more here.

AT HOME WITH THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET

The Australian Ballet is bringing a range of full length performances to your lounge room with their cinema quality digital season. Sit back and watch classic performances including The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet all for free!

AUSTRALIAN DANCE THEATRE: ADAPT

Introducing ADAPT, Australian Dance Theatre’s special online-only season for 2020. Every fortnight from Friday 1 May, tune in for one of Garry Stewarts most well-known works for a 48 hour period. Find out how to watch here.

DIGITAL STAGE

Sadler’s Wells presents a programme of full-length dance performances and workshops online, that will keep you entertained and connected through dance.

FESTIVAL OF DANGEROUS IDEAS

Feed your mind and break the isolation monotony with the latest addition to the FODI podcast vault. Every Monday they’ll release a podcast from the archives and also have a new book extract from AI expert Toby Walsh, and a selection of articles to keep you busy.

GETTY CENTRE - STAY AT HOME CHALLENGE

Inspired by a similar challenge issued by The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, as well as an Instagram account called “Between Art and Quarantine, the Getty Museum in LA called on its online followers to recreate famous artworks with household items and the internet responded with thousands of at-home quarantine masterpieces.

Try it for yourself!

We challenge you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home.

MUSEUMS TO TOUR VIRTUALLY

NATIONAL THEATRE

National Theatre has moved their world-class theatre online. Starting with their One Man, Two Guvnors production now available for free on YouTube here.

NIGHTLY OPERA STREAM WITH THE METROPOLITAN OPERA

Tune in and watch the free nightly Opera Streams between April 6-12 brought to you by the Metropolitan Opera. Explore the schedule as well as all the supplement content.

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

Shakespeare’s Globe will release 40 productions on its Globe Player service for free. Watch their first production, Hamlet here.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Australian Chamber Orchestra is made up of 17 musicians from all different walks of life and who live and breathe music. Listen to the ACO podcasts, Spotify playlist or even watch them in concert performing Beethoven Fifth.

SCULPTURES BY THE SEA: COTTESLOE

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Stay connected to Cirque du Soleil with their 60 minute specials, web series, content for the kids and much more. Visit the CirqueConnect Content Hub to experience their whimsy shows and be transported away from everyday life.

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

If you’ve always wanted to dance or you just want to get some exercise at home, then look no further. The Sydney Dance Company is offering a virtual studio where anyone at any level of experience can learn to dance.

GLYNDEBOURNE

PARIS OPERA

Watch the most beautiful shows from Paris Opera’s archives online free of charge. From Don Giovanni to Swan Lake and The Tales of Hoffmann, there are many great classics to see or rediscover from home.

THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

Experience the newly launched program of online content for the culturally curious at home. View their schedule of free broadcasts and live content anytime and anywhere.

SCOTTISH BOOK TRUST

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

Tune in every day to watch a clip from the Festivals gone by and bring some laughter to your day. View more here.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Western Australia Symphony Orchestra understands that we need the power of music more than ever and over the coming weeks will be sharing updates, videos and articles as part of their Let the Music Play On program.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA

Stay inspired with highlights from the National Gallery of Victoria including the stories behind their collection works, virtual exhibition tours, essays, interviews and much more. View more on their channel here.

CREATE NSW

Some of NSW’s leading arts and cultural organisations have gone digital and are bringing exhibitions, festivals and performances to your home. View more here.

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE

If you’re a music lover, Melbourne Recital Centre is here to connect you to live music online. View the full schedule of their #HearTogether digital program here.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE

Acclaimed worldwide for it’s authentic storytelling, distinctive voice and moving performances. Immerse yourself in the full performance of Bennelong here.

CARNEGIE HALL

Introducing the entirely new and original online series: Live with Carnegie Hall. Tune in for unforgettable episodes that feature some of the world’s finest artists as they share behind the scene stories, excerpts from past performances, and live musical moments.

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE (UK)

Watch the archive recording of the British musical Flowers for Mrs Harris. Now available to view for free until 8 May here.

KOMISCHE OPER BERLIN

Enjoy videos of several productions including Barry Kosky’s La Bohème. Find out more here.

MoMA

Immerse yourself in ideas and see your world in new ways through art. Enrol in one of MoMA’s free online courses. To find out more information here.

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC

Between April 16-30, tune in for a two-week celebration of the composer / conductor and erstwhile New Yorker / Philharmonic Music Director on the Mahler’s New York: A Digital Festival or view the full schedule here.

NGV

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To experience this site you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Please enjoy Archie Rose responsibly in countries where the consumption of alcohol is lawful, for persons who are lawfully permitted to consume alcohol. By entering this site you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Find out more at www.drinkwise.org.au. Archie Rose Distilling Co. Pty Limited Rights Reserved. Archie Rose Distilling Co. supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol. NSW Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. Liquor Producer Wholesaler Licence: LIQW880014624 | Liquor Hotel Licence: LIQH440018958

To experience this site you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Please enjoy Archie Rose responsibly in countries where the consumption of alcohol is lawful, for persons who are lawfully permitted to consume alcohol. By entering this site you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Find out more at www.drinkwise.org.au. Archie Rose Distilling Co. Pty Limited Rights Reserved. Archie Rose Distilling Co. supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol. NSW Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. Liquor Producer Wholesaler Licence: LIQW880014624 | Liquor Hotel Licence: LIQH440018958